Chinese, US scientists create world’s first graphene semiconductor in feat that could transform computer chips
- Tianjin University, Georgia Tech team creates functional semiconductor out of graphene, a material far superior to silicon in electronic potential
- Chinese state media hails study as momentous step forward for graphene’s use in chip making, sought after by scientists since its discovery in 2004
Graphene is a simple material, made up of just a single layer of carbon atoms, said to be a million times thinner than human hair. But it is stronger than almost anything else in nature, and beats silicon hands down when it comes to electronic potential.
Ever since graphene was discovered in 2004, scientists have tried to use it, in combination with other carbon materials, to devise a new kind of chip – one that would use less power and work faster than any semiconductor in existence.
This long-elusive feat might now be close to reality, according to nano scientists at China’s Tianjin University and the Georgia Institute of Technology, whose findings were published in the journal Nature on Wednesday.
Chinese state media hailed the feat as a momentous step forward for the use of graphene in chip manufacturing.
“This research has not only maintained graphene’s remarkable stability but also introduced fresh electronic traits, clearing the path for graphene-based chips,” Beijing-based Science and Technology Daily said in a report on Friday.
